Briefs

Tenn. okays smoke detectors for elderly care facilities NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Senate has passed a bill that requires sprinklers and fire alarms in assisted living and homes for the aging. Tennessee State Senator William C. Clabough, R-Maryville, introduced the bill after the second of two deadly fires transpired in elderly care facilities over the last 18 months - the most recent occurred earlier this year in his hometown. A counter bill is now on the floor that would require such provisions in nursing homes throughout the state, a representative from Sen. Clabough’s office said. FDNY honors Honeywell Fire Systems Group NEW YORK - The New York Fire Department’s Fire Safety Education Fund honored Honeywell Fire Systems Group at the annual Fire Commissioner’s Humanitarian Awards dinner. Allen Fritts, president of the Honeywell Fire Systems Group, accepted the award at the event. Each year, the fund chooses leaders who have made a commitment to fire safety and prevention in New York. The fund provides support for educational and public awareness programs for both civilians and firefighters. Past winners include former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and John Wren, chairman of Omnicom. Illinois requires universities to install fire sprinklers SPRINGFIELD, Ill.–The Illinois government has passed the Fire Sprinkler Dormitory Act. The bill requires post-secondary educational institutions to install fire sprinklers in all dormitories by 2013. The bill is expected to cost public universities upwards of $70 million. As a result of the costs involved, the Illinois Finance Authority and the office of the state fire marshal will offer a revolving loan program. Approval has also been granted to allow universities to impose a nominal student fee to cover the expense.